Cairo, Ill. (Feb. 18, 2021) —Illinois American Water has issued a boil water order for its Cairo District service area.
The extreme cold temperatures have resulted in several water main breaks across the Cairo water distribution system. Water pressure has been impacted, resulting in a boil water order.
Customers should bring their water to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Water is OK for bathing, washing and other common uses.
This boil water order is being issued in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
Anytime water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in any part of a community’s distribution system, a boil water order must be issued as a precaution to protect customers.
Mike Brown, operations superintendent for the Cairo District said, “Our team is working as safely and as quickly as possible to make repairs and lift the boil water order. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding from our
customers.”
Customers are being notified about the boil water order via media outreach, customer calls and Illinois American Water website updates at www.illinoisamwater.com. Information is also provided to our customer service center representatives. Notification will be completed in the same manner when the boil water order is lifted or should additional action be required.
About Illinois American Water – Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and
a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Karen Cotton, External Affairs Manager, [email protected]
